Across the Pastor’s Desk by Kenneth Jensen

 

In his recent book, “The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life,” columnist David Brooks observes that our society is living with two illusions. 

One illusion maintains that fulfillment in life is determined by achieving success in one’s career. The other is the belief we can make ourselves happy individually as in “losing 15 pounds or being really good at yoga.” However, both are lies. Fulfillment comes through relationship.        

We are not living just in a political crisis, but in a moral and spiritual crisis of connection. He cites our willingness to tolerate vitriol from government leaders without being appalled. Teen suicide is up 70%. Annually, 45,000 people kill themselves and 72,000 die of opioid addiction.

Brooks believes the crisis of connection lies in the rise of societal narcissism — in an individualism that is all about self. A culture which says, “I can make myself happy” and “I can find my own truth” weakens the bond between people. The ego takes over and the relationship between heart and soul withers away.

Traveling around the country he found people who are joyous. They are engaged in healing society and building community. They do what they do, not for ego or money or celebrity, but because they want to live in right relationship with other people. They are the ones whose soul is fulfilled.   

A key ingredient in an active church life is fellowship. Fellowship involves more than the coffee hour after worship, enjoyable as that may be. Fellowship is about caring for one another. Fellowship is about living in a right relationship with people whose world view differs. Fellowship is about working together.

Jesus said we are to love one another as he loves us. He also said we are to love our enemies. In so doing, we will be blessed — another word for joyous.

Jesus concluded, saying, “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38 NIV).

Kenneth Jensen is a retired ELCA pastor living in Albert Lea.